Catering

Contracting for Catered Services

A well-written catering contract gives a clear outline of the obligations, timelines,

and payment schedules for both sides entering the agreement. It should include the
client’s expectations regarding the food service, delivery dates, and menu; and your
expectations related to fees and payments.

The key to contracting is to define the expectations of all the parties involved. By
clearly outlining the caterer’s and the client’s responsibilities, a good contract eliminates
ambiguity, which in turns helps to avoid disputes.

Qualities of a Caterer

Excellent communication skills - Excellent communication skills can enhance a guests

experience as it shows that you are listening to them, valuing their feedback and
conveying clear messages.

Time-Management skills - Good time management allows you to accomplish more in a

shorter period of time, which leads to more free time, which lets you take advantage of
learning opportunities, lowers your stress, and helps you focus, which leads to more
career success.

The ability to multitask - Teaching employees to multitask while taking care of guests
requests helps your catering run smoothly and gives your guests a positive experience.

A friendly, hospitable personality - As a catarer, it is your job to provide that service in a

friendly manner. Even when a customer is unreasonable and rude, keep your
interactions pleasant and remember that you represent the catering, not just yourself.

Natural leadership and motivational skills - Natural Effective leaders do not try to be
anyone else. They are comfortable being who they are. They seek out people with
different natural effectiveness traits. They value the complementary skills and traits of
others. They surround themselves with people whose strengths complement their own.

Catering Personnel

Cooks - The primary role of a catering cook is to prepare food for events according to
client needs.

Supervisors - Catering Supervisors interview, hire, train and manage employees.

Dishwasher - A Dishwasher is to maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, or utensils in

clean and orderly condition.
Food Runners - The food runner is a crucial restaurant position whose responsibility is
communicating with guests and supporting both servers and kitchen staff.

Waiters - Greet guests/patrons as they arrive at the facility, and provide them with
assistance in finding sitting spots. Provide guests with information on available
welcome-drinks, and take and process their orders.

Catering Tools and Equipment

The Table Setting Tools

Salad plates

Dinner plates

Bread plates

Tablecloths

Fabric or paper napkins

Centerpieces

Wine glasses

Water glasses

Sugar holders

Salt and pepper shakers

Equipment for Serving

Bus bins – the plastic tubs that hold dirty dishes and food after people have
finished eating. Get several of these.

Serving trays – Trays are necessary for serving all the food, unless the event is
to be buffet style.

Water pitchers - Try for durable pitchers that look nice as well. Have enough to
keep at least half the servers stocked during the event, because refilling water is a
major component of any event.

Equipment for a Buffet

Tongs – For salads or other difficult to scoop items.

Chafing dishes – To keep food warm throughout the event

 Fuel – To power the chafing dishes

Matches or lighter – To start the dish heaters

Plates – Go with sturdy and uniform plates

Serving baskets – To hold fruit, bread and other objects

Rolled silverware – Packed into neat bundles for easy grabbing or passing out

Cutting boards – Used for cutting meats

Cutting knives – To slice up meat

Cutting boards – To hold meats for slicing

Spatulas

Dish cloths – To wipe up inevitable spills

Beverage Bar

Glasses – For water and soft drinks

Pitchers – Filled with water and ice

Coffee cups

Ice tubs – To hold canned soda or other drinks in containers Straws

Baskets – To hold teas, hot cocoas, sugar and creamer packs

Garbage can – To hold all the wrappers and other drink garbage

Napkins – For spills or to wrap around hot drinks

Straws